"Sharing can be a way of healing. Grief and loss can isolate,
anger even alienate. Shared with others, emotions unite
as we see we aren't alone. We realize others weep with us."
~Susan Wittig Albert

Through our writing, we walk out of the darkness into the light
together, one small step at a time, recording history, educating
America, and we are healing.
~CJ/Todd Dierdorff



Sunday, May 18, 2014

The Wall and Washington

By Tom Peck




CJ, I've been to the Wall twice. The last time was this past April, as part of a tour package. It was rushed and I didn't see any fellow warriors that day, but I tried to explain the three soldiers statue to some people in the tour.

I know there may be guys who were with me in Nam on the Wall, also guys who were with me in Boot Camp, too, but you need time and research to find this out.

I wasn't even able to go to the Marine Memorial those two days. Traveling in DC is hectic, parking is real bad, driving is a nightmare, and hotels are, well, you get what you pay for. Tours don't allow you to really see what you want, or how you want. We did have a nice experience watching the Cherry Blossom Parade though.

Going there during Veterans day, or Memorial day, would be nice, but where can you park? And getting out of DC afterwards is a nightmare.

I owe my fellow warriors the time to reflect with them and and pay my respects to those who are still trying to heal, those who sacrificed all (I know some, but I also forgot a few names), and those who died from my unit.

All who are inscribed on The Wall deserve to be remembered, not just on that day, but always, as well as the Veterans of the past Wars.

If we don't face our fears, then ours fears overcome our lives and take what little love, happiness, peace, serenity, yes, even romance, there is, away. We have to start to face our fear by talking, by taking that first step. If we don't, we throw away any chance of moving forward, of allowing our loved ones some understanding, some healing, some acknowledgement of our hell and our truths.

We are not really allowed to move on, because Washington won't let us. They have let tens of thousands die, while denying that they [Washington] caused those deaths (Agent Orange, Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Diease, Nerve Disorders). Washington has proven they can vote us into harms way, then deny any consequence of those actions.

The Public has allowed this at our expense and at the cost of thousands of lives. There is no outcry. There is no one holding anyone accountable. The Public allows Washington to cover it up with their, "Budget Cuts", or "Budget Deficit". The latter, to me, is waste on the part of Washington, and of tax payer dollars.

They're sending billions of dollars overseas to corrupt foreign governments who knowingly supply the very terrorists we're fighting: Irag, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, North Korea, and countries we deal with through the back door, like Somalia and many others, even South Vietnam (still MIAs).

That money has totaled in the trillions. Why? Because the taxpayers aren't holding Washington accountable for the money, even the billions wasted knowingly during the bailouts of those mortgage companies and others. What was that money used for? Parties, bonuses, and bank accounts. This is fact.

Cabinet Post's were given to a few of the individuals who profited from these scams. One individual made 54 million at the expense of those who lost everything. This is our government. Get a cabinet post at the expense of your constituents and be protected by privilege for doing it.  It happened with the Railroad. A loss of 300+ jobs and a CEO got a cabinet post in the past administration.

Well I'll stop for now ...

Take Care CJ. God Bless and Watch Over You.

Tom Peck
USMC, NAM '69, January to August
(WIA 28 July)
1st Mar Div Hotel 2/1


“I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do, and by the grace of God, I will.” ~Everett Hale

2 comments:

  1. very useful article, and I am very happy to visit this blog hopefully we can visit are associated
    thank you

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looking at The Wall, I can't help but reflect on the 58,272 names. We have so many to thank for their service and their sacrifice.

    We have even more to thank that are not on The Wall -- men and women who fought shoulder to shoulder with those on The Wall and who still wrestle 24/7 with the memories of those times and places.

    Welcome Home. Thank you for your service. I salute and honor you.

    ReplyDelete

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